While having a look through some of the Ranta collection for a few fun historical posts for the next couple of days, this great little find fell out of a Canadian Grand Prix program. A pristine entry ticket for the 1967 Grand Prix of the United States at Watkins Glen, October 1, 1967. The price? Just $8.

According to the Wikipedia entry on this event, Sarj Ranta was one of 80,000 people who watched Jim Clark nurse his ailing Lotus to a win over team mate Graham Hill on that bright, sunny day.

The entry lists for this event probably look like a typical regional race anywhere in the States at that time. Most of the drivers are local, with most from New York and a few from Pennsylvania or Ontario. One name though sticks out. At the top of the Formula Jr, III, Libre race is none other than New York’s own Brock Yates. The father of the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Run was driving a Taraschi. As I didn’t have a clue what a Taraschi was, a quick google taught me that it was a front engined, rear wheel drive Formula Junior with a Fiat engine.

pic of an unrelated Taraschi after the break

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This wonderful magazine, published after the Grand Prix includes shots of pit & on track action. On the cover we see BRM crew members filling the fuel tank of Graham Hill’s BRM. Eventual winner Innes Ireland had an eventful weekend on the way to his first Grand Prix victory. Friday’s practice session saw the steering wheel come off in his hands, sending the Lotus into the trees. Luckily, with no major impacts, Ireland was fine to race and the Lotus was repaired in time for qualifying on Saturday. 105.08 was was the fastest lap he could turn, placing him 8th on the grid, before the engine blew up. After crew members worked 8 hours replacing the engine, Ireland did his job on Sunday and won the 1961 US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.